Aquatic invertebrates in dune ponds at Sand Dunes Wilderness … · 2019-08-22 · 2 Introduction The Killpecker Sand Dunes are the second largest sand dune field in North America

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Aquatic invertebrates in dune ponds at Sand Dunes Wilderness

Study Area

Lusha Tronstad J. Cody Bish Oliver Wilmot

Lead Invertebrate Zoologist Invertebrate Zoologists

Wyoming Natural Diversity Database

University of Wyoming

[email protected]

307-766-3115

Suggested citation: Tronstad, L.M., J.C. Bish and O.J. Wilmot. 2017. Aquatic invertebrates in dune ponds

at Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area. Report prepared by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database for

the Bureau of Land Management-Rock Springs Field Office.

mailto:[email protected]

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Introduction

The Killpecker Sand Dunes are the second largest sand dune field in North America and stretch from the

Ferris Mountains to north of Rock Springs, Wyoming. An area in the western portion of the dunes is

protected as a wilderness study area (WSA) prohibiting motorized vehicles (Sand Dunes WSA). The WSA

includes 27,109 acres owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Sand dunes are constantly shifting

and can reach heights of 100 ft. Desert elk, pronghorn, mule deer, raptors and mountain lions live in

Sand Dunes WSA.

One of the most unique aspects of Sand Dunes WSA are the aeolian ice cells that form from snow that

accumulates on the leeward side of the dunes and are subsequently covered with sand. The sand

insulates the snow and ice allowing it to slowly melt and form ponds. These ponds vary in size

seasonally and annually depending on climate and conditions. The objectives of our study were to 1.)

describe basic conditions in the ponds and 2.) identify the invertebrates living in these dune ponds.

Study Sites

We sampled 11 ponds in the Sand Dunes WSA (Figure 1). We sampled 7 ponds that were on the margin

of the dune field in 2012 and all the ponds in the dune field were dry. We sampled 6 ponds in 2014

when the spring was wetter and we sampled ponds in the dune field. At each pond, we measured basic

water quality using a Professional Plus Multiprobe made by Yellow Springs Instrument that was

calibrated before sampling. We photographed each site and recorded location using a global position

system. We sampled aquatic invertebrates using a D-frame dipnet with 250 µm mesh. Invertebrates

were sorted from the debris in the field and preserved in ~75% ethanol. We identified invertebrates to

the lowest taxonomic level possible given available keys, and age and condition of the specimen using a

variety of keys (Burch 1982, Smith 2001, Merritt et al. 2008, Thorp and Covich 2010).

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Figure 1. The ponds sampled in the Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area.

Results

Table 1. Basic water quality measurements in dune ponds during 2012

Pond 2 4 5 5L 7 10 12

Water temperature (˚C ) 35.6 31.5 25.8 20.2 21.4 28 22.1

Dissolved Oxygen (% saturation) 242 251 139 149 124 85 120

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 15.9 16.6 10.6 12.8 10.4 6.2 9.7

Specific conductivity (µS/cm) 1193 14161 443.2 438.2 543 1652 769

pH 9.87 9.52 8.38 8.45 9.02 8.26 8.11

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (mV) 42 -50.4 61.7 177.6 145.8 48.6 130.6

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Table 2. Basic water quality measurement in dune ponds during 2014.

Table 3. Invertebrates collected in dune ponds during 2012. Taxa with question marks indicate the

most likely identification given the available keys or condition of the specimen.

Pond 1 2 7 8 9 13

Water temperature (˚C ) 5.7 9.5 12.3 20.2 16.8 18.9

Dissolved Oxygen (% saturation) 53 86 129 71 105 102

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.3 9.3 13 5.2 9.6 8.5

Specific conductivity (µS/cm) 770.9 752 434.3 29401 972 1106

pH 9.13 8.4 9.21 10.36 9.23 9.41

Oxidation-Reduction Potential (mV) -44.1 -5.2 64.4 118.5 203.9 450.6

Order/Class Family Dune2B Dune 4B Dune5C Dune5B Dune7B Dune10B Dune12B

Annelida Hirudinida Helobdella stagnalis

Arachnida Acari Acari Acari

Coleoptera Dytiscidae Agabus Larvae Agabus Larvae Agabus Larvae Agabus

Coleoptera Dytiscidae Coptotomus Laccophilus Laccophilus

Coleoptera Dytiscidae Hygrotus sellatus Hygrotus sellatus

Coleoptera Haliplidae Haliplus Haliplus

Coleoptera Hydraenidae Ochthebius

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Tropisternus Tropisternus

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Berosus

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Helophorus Helophorus Helophorus Helophorus

Copepoda Calanoida Sinocalanus? Sinocalanus?

Crustacean Cladoceran Cladoceran Cladoceran

Diptera Chironomidae Chironomidae Chironomidae Chironomidae Chironomidae Chironomidae Chironomidae

Ephemeroptera Baetidae Procloeon Procloeon Procloeon

Hemiptera Corixidae Early Instar Early Instar Early Instar

Hemiptera Corixidae Hesperocorixa Hesperocorixa Hesperocorixa Hesperocorixa Hesperocorixa

Hemiptera Gerridae Gerris Limnoporus

Hemiptera Notonectidae Notonecta kirbyi Notonecta kirbyi Notonecta kirbyi Notonecta kirbyi Notonecta kirbyi

Hemiptera Saldidae Specimen in rough shape

Lepidoptera Noctuidae Semi-aquatic

Molluska Bivalvia Sphaeriidae Sphaeriidae

Molluska Gastropoda Stagnicola Stagnicola Stagnicola

Molluska Gastropoda Physella Physella

Odonata Aeshnidae Anax junius Anax Anax

Odonata Coenagrionidae Enallagma annexum Enallagma annexum Enallagma annexumTelebasis salva

Odonata Lestidae Archilestes californica Archilestes californica Archilestes californica

Odonata Libellulidae Libellula composita Libellula composita Libellula comanche

Trichoptera Limniphilidae Limnephilus Limnephilus Limniphilus

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Table 4. Invertebrates collected in dune ponds during 2014. Taxa with question marks indicate the

most likely identification given the available keys or condition of the specimen. An “x” indicates the

presence of an invertebrate at the taxonomic level listed on the left.

Order/Class Family Dune 1 Dune2 Dune 7 Dune 8 Dune 9 Dune 13

Diptera Chironomidae (larva) x x x

Diptera Chironomidae (pupa) x x

Diptera Ceratopogonidae (larva) Culicoides & Bezzia/Palpomyia Culicoides & Bezzia/Palpomyia Leptocenops

Diptera Ceratopogonidae (pupa) x x x

Diptera Dolichopodidae (larva) x x

Diptera Dolichopodidae (pupa) x

Diptera Culicidae (larva) Aedes & Culiseta

Diptera Culicidae (pupa) x

Diptera Dixidae (larva) Dixella

Diptera Tipulidae (larva) Oriomosia?

Diptera Stratiomyiidae (larva) Odontomyia Nemotelus

Diptera Unk larva x x

Diptera Unk pupa x x

Coleoptera Dytiscidae (adult) Hygrotus Desmopachria

Coleoptera Dytiscidae (larva) Agabus? & unk early instar

Coleoptera Hydrophilidae (adult) Hydrobius & Helophorus Helophorus Laccophilus Helophorus

Coleoptera Heteroceridae (adult) x x

Coleoptera Staphylinidae (adult) x x x

Coleoptera Carabidae (adult)

Coleoptera Carabidae (larva) x

Coleoptera Cicindelidae (now Carabidae) x

Hemiptera Corixidae Corisella?

Hemiptera Notonectidae Notonecta kirbyi

Hemiptera Unk adult x

Hemiptera Unk larva x x x

Ephemeroptera Caenidae Caenis

Odonata Lestidae Lestes

Odonata Libellulidae Pachydiplax

Collembola Collembola x x

Annelida Oligochaeta x x x

Annelida Hirudinea Hellobdella stagnalis

Mollusk Gastropoda Physa acuta Physidae

Mollusk Gastropoda Gyraulus parvus Lymnaeidae Lymnaeidae

Mollusk Gastropoda Gyraulus deflectus

Mollusk Bivalvia Sphaeriidae

Crustcea Cladocera Daphnia pulex Daphnia pulex ephippia only

Crustcea Copepoda Homocyclops?

Arachnida Acari x

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Dune Pond 1

Date: 19 June 2014

Coordinates: 41.99153°N -109.23430°W NAD83

Elevation: 2053 m

Pond Description: Enclosed in fence, shallow water and area covered with rushes

Habitat in pond: Rushes cover entire pond

Pond substrate: Sand and organic matter

Size: 57 x 20 m

Depth: 2 cm

Invertebrates (see tables 1 and 2 for complete list):

Trueflies: No-see-um (Culicoides, Bezzia/Palpomyia), Mosquitos (Aedes, Culiseta), Meniscus midges

(Dixella), Cranefly (likely Oriomosia), Soldierfly (Odontomyia)

Beetles: Predaceous diving beetles (Hygrotus), Water scavenger beetles (Hydrobius, Helophorus)

Snails: Ramshorn snail (Gyraulus parvus)

Crustaceans: Water fleas (Daphnia pulex), Copepods (likely Homocyclops)

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Dune Pond 2

Dates: 10 July 2012 and 19 June 2014

Coordinates: 41.99128°N -109.23564 NAD83

Elevation: 2063 m

Pond Description: Pond inside enclosure at margin of dunes

Habitat in pond: Bull rushes around margin of pond, submerged aquatic vegetation on bottom

Pond substrate: Sand and silt, black and anoxic below surface

Width: 18 m

Depth: 8 cm


Trueflies: No-see-um (Culicoides, Bezzia/Palpomyia), Soldierfly (Nemotelus), Non-biting midges

(Chironomidae)

Beetles: Predaceous diving beetles (Desmopachria, Hygrotus sellatus, likely Agabus), Water scavenger

beetles (Helophorus)

True bugs: Water boatmen (likely Corisella), Water skaters (Gerris), Backswimmers (Notonecta kirbyi),

Shorebugs (Saldidae)

Damselflies: Skimmers (Archilestes californica)

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Dune Pond 4

Date: 15 July 2012


Elevation: 2065 m

Pond Description: No riparian vegetation, used by cattle

Habitat in pond: Open water, floating algae and some rushes

Pond substrate: Silt and sand, anoxic below surface

Size: 32 m

Depth: 15 cm


Trueflies: Non-biting midges (Chironomidae)

True bugs: Water boatmen (Hesperocorixa)

Crustaceans: Water fleas (likely Sinocalanus)

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Dune Pond 5

Date: 10 July 2012


Elevation: 2073

Pond Description: Long and narrow pond east of railroad grade

Habitat in pond: Submerged aquatic vegetation

Pond substrate: Mostly sand, some silt

Size: 5 x 37 m

Depth: 90 cm



Mayflies: Small minnow mayflies (Procloeon)

True bugs: Water boatmen (Hesperocorixa), Backswimmers (Notonecta kirbyi)

Dragonflies: Skimmer (Libellula composita)

Damselflies: Narrow-winged damselflies (Enallagma annexum), Skimmers (Archilestes californica)

Snails: Bladder snails (Physella), Pond snails (Stagnicola)

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Dune Pond 5L

Date: 11 July 2012


Elevation: 2066

Pond Description: Shallow, elongate pond used by cattle

Habitat in pond: Submerged aquatic vegetation

Pond substrate: Sand and silt

Size: 8 x 37 m

Depth: 18 cm



Mayflies: Small minnow mayflies (Procloeon)

Caddisfly: Northern Caddisflies (Limnephilus)


Dragonflies: Skimmer (Libellula composita), Green darner (Anax junius)

Damselflies: Narrow-winged damselflies (Enallagma annexum), Skimmers (Archilestes californica)

Snails: Bladder snails (Physella), Pond snails (Stagnicola)

Clams: Fingernail clam (Sphaeriidae)

Crustaceans: Water flea (Cladoceran)

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Dune Pond 7

Dates: 11 July 2012 and 19 June 2014


Elevation: 2071 m

Pond Description: U-shaped pond, used by cattle, tiger salamander larvae use the pond

Habitat in pond: Algae and submerged aquatic vegetation

Pond substrate: Mostly sand and some silt

Size: 32 x 23 m

Depth: 60 cm



Mayflies: Small minnow mayflies (Procloeon), Small squaregill mayflies (Caenis)

Caddisfly: Northern Caddisflies (Limnephilus)

Beetles: Predaceous diving beetles (Agabus, Coptotomus), Water scavenger beetles (Laccophilus)


Dragonflies & Damselflies: Green darner (Anax), Narrow-winged damselflies (Enallagma annexum)

Snails: Bladder snails (Physidae), Pond snails (Lymnaeidae), Ramshorn snail (Gyraulus deflectus)

Clams: Fingernail clam (Sphaeriidae)

Crustaceans: Water flea (Cladoceran)

Mites: Water mites (Acari)

Leeches: (Helobdella stagnalis)

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Dune Pond 8

Date: 18 June 2014


Elevation: 2034 m

Pond Description: At margins of dunes, drying

Habitat in pond: No vegetation

Pond substrate: Clay and sand, soft, anoxic sediments

Size: 83 x 58 m

Depth: 2.5 cm

Invertebrates:

Cladocera ephippia (dormant eggs)

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Dune Pond 9

Date: 18 June 2014


Elevation: 2041 m

Pond Description: Pond in sand dunes

Habitat in pond: Shallow pond lacking vegetation

Pond substrate: Sand

Size: 9 x 39 m

Depth: 6 cm


Trueflies: Non-biting midges (Chironomidae), Long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae)

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Dune Pond 10

Date: 10 July 2012


Elevation: 2057 m

Pond Description: L-shaped pond, used by cattle, poor water clarity

Habitat in pond: Very little vegetation in pond


Size: 6 x 30 m

Depth: 15 cm



Beetles: Predaceous diving beetles (Agabus, Laccophilus, Hygrotus sellatus), Minute moss beetles

(Ochthebius), Water scavenger beetles (Tropisternus, Berosus, Helophorus)

True bugs: Water boatmen (Hesperocorixa)

Damselflies: Narrow-winged damselflies (Telebasis salva)

Crustacea: Copepods (likely Sinocalanus)

Leeches: (Helobdella stagnalis)

Helobdella stagnalis

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Dune Pond 12

Date: 11 July 2012


Elevation: 2074 m

Pond Description: Small pond used by cattle

Habitat in pond: Rushes and submerged aquatic vegetation


Size: 3 x 18 m

Depth: 46 cm


Beetles: Predaceous diving beetles (Laccophilus), Water scavenger beetles (Helophorus), Crawling water

beetles (Haliplus)

True bugs: Backswimmers (Notonecta kirbyi), Water skaters (Limnoporus)

Dragonflies: Skimmer (Libellula comanche), Green darner (Anax)

Snails: Pond snails (Stagnicola)

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Dune Pond 13

Date: 18 June 2014


Elevation: 2041 m

Pond Description: In dunes, 3 ponds drying in depression that were previous connected

Habitat in pond: Rushes in on pond, no vegetation in other ponds

Pond substrate: Sand with organic matter and silt layer on top

Size: 18 x 39 m

Depth: 9 cm


True flies: No-see-ums (Leptocenops), Long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae)

Beetles: Water scavenger beetles (Helophorus)

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Photos of some aquatic invertebrates collected in the dune ponds.

Dragonflies and damselflies

Anax Archilestes californica

Enallagma annexum Libellula comanche

Libellula composita

Telebasis salva

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Beetles

Agabus

Berosus

Coptotomus Hygrotus sellatus

Ochthebius

Tropisternus

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True bugs

Crustacean Caddisflies

True flies

Chironomidae

Hesperocorixa Notonecta kirbyi

Limnoporus

Copepods Limnephilus

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Literature Cited

Burch, J. B. 1982. North American Freshwater Snails. Walkerana 1:217-365. Merritt, R. W., K. W. Cummins, and M. B. Berg, editors. 2008. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of

North America. 4th edition. Kendall Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, IA. Smith, D. G. 2001. Pennak's Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States. 4th edition. John Wiley and

Sons, Inc., New York. Thorp, J. H., and A. P. Covich, editors. 2010. Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater

Invertebrates. 3rd edition. Elsevier, New York.

Documents

Aquatic invertebrates in dune ponds at Sand Dunes Wilderness … · 2019-08-22 · 2 Introduction The Killpecker Sand Dunes are the second largest sand dune field in North America